Today in Soap Opera History (December 27)

"History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1963: On The Edge of Night, Emory Warren (William Berger) came closer to realizing his murderous plan.

1971: On The Doctors, Dr. Althea Davis (Elizabeth Hubbard) filled Dr. Maggie Powers (Lydia Bruce) about her time with her mother during the holidays.

1976: On Ryan's Hope, Jack Fenelli (Michael Levin) demanded an explanation for Johnny Ryan's (Bernard Barrow) comment that the baby Mary was carrying was the only child Jack would ever have.

1978: On One Life to Live, Gretel Cummings (Linda Dano) informed Pat Ashley (Jacqueline Courtney) that they had to end their trip early. Adam Brewster (John Mansfield) told Pat that he had an urgent business deal to attend to in Washington, and he had booked her on a flight back to Llanview.

1979:Knots Landing, a spin-off of popular primetime soap opera Dallas featuring characters Gary (Ted Shackelford) and Valene (Joan Van Ark) Ewing, premiered on CBS. The show revolved around the lives of four couples living in a Knots Landing cul-de-sac. The other couples were Sid and Karen Fairgate (played by Don Murray and Michele Lee), Kenny and Ginger Ward (James Houghton and Kim Lankford), and Richard and Laura Avery (John Pleshette and Constance McCashin).

1985: On Days of our Lives, Bo Brady (Peter Reckell) warned his wife, Hope (Kristian Alfonso), to not get involved with his investigation to prove Shane Donovan's innocence. Shane was accused of being a double agent.

1988: On General Hospital, Sean Donely (John Reilly) convinced Colton Shore (Scott Thompson Baker) to join him in the investigation.

1999: Jay Kenneth Johnson debuted as Philip Kiriakis on Days of our Lives.

1999: On Guiding Light, Danny Santos (Paul Anthony Stewart) gave Michelle Bauer (Bethany Joy Lenz) a necklace with a gold house along with plans for their house at Laurel Falls.

2002: On The Bold and the Beautiful, Eric Forrester (John McCook) was disgusted with Brooke Logan (Katherine Kelly Lang) after finding out Brooke's daughter, Hope, was fathered by Deacon Sharpe.

2004: Former Days of our Lives head writer Peggy Phillips died at age 88.

2004: On All My Children, loved ones gathered around a comatose Bianca Montgomery (Eden Riegel) urging her to wake up. Her mother, Erica Kane (Susan Lucci), shocked everyone when she arrived with Bianca's daughter, Miranda, in her arms. Jack, Kendall and Erica took Miranda to Bianca's bedside, while Tad explained it was true, Miranda was alive. Erica brought the baby to Bianca and begged her not to leave and open her eyes. As everyone watched, Bianca finally opened her eyes, saw Miranda and held her.